Human Reproduction (I) JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note

HUMAN REPRODUCTION (I)

Menstruation

Menstruation is the monthly flow or discharge of blood from the vagina of a woman at childbearing age. It is also called a period. The first occurrence of menstruation is called menarche.

The first period usually begins between twelve and fifteen years of age. The periods, however, may occasionally start as young as eight years old and still be considered normal.

The typical length of time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next is an average of 28 days. Menstruation stops occurring at menopause, which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.

This flow of blood usually lasts between 2 to 7 days but on average it is 5 days

During pregnancy and for some time after childbirth, menstruation does not occur; this state is known as amenorrhea.

Menstrual disorders and problems associated with menstruation

1.     Heavy period: This is when there is an unusual and excessive flow of blood. It can also cause an extension of the bleeding to seven days.
2.     The absence of menstrual periods: This condition involves an absence of menstruation for 3 months or longer in a sexually mature woman who is not pregnant or breastfeeding.
3.     Pain and discomfort: Just before and/ or during menstruation there can be that is severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities. Such pain is usually experienced in the abdominal region and lower back as well as abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headache, sleep problems, and mood swings.
4.     Bleeding between menstrual periods: (Such as abnormal uterine bleeding, or spotting) can be the symptom of another medical condition, which can vary from minor to serious. Women who experience abnormal uterine bleeding should contact a healthcare provider.

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

1. Choose your method of sanitation: It is essential to choose one that has the lowest absorbency rate for your flow. Frequent switching between brands can make you uncomfortable.
2. Change sanitary pad regularly: Menstrual blood, once it has left the body gets contaminated with the body’s innate organisms. Therefore, the standard time to change a sanitary pad is once every six hours.
3. Wash yourself regularly: When you menstruate the blood tends to enter tiny spaces like the skin between your labia or crust around the opening of the vagina and you should always wash this excess blood away. This practice also tends to beat bad odor from the vagina region, so, it is important to wash your vagina and labia well before you change into a new pad. If you cannot wash yourself before you change make sure you wipe off the areas by using toilet paper or tissues
4. Don’t use soap or vaginal hygiene products: The vagina has a cleaning mechanism that works in a very fine balance of good and bad bacteria. Washing it with soap can kill the good bacteria making way for infections. So you can use soap on the external parts but do not use it inside your vagina or vulva.
5. Use the right washing techniques always: Wash or clean the area in a motion i.e. from the vagina to the anus and never wash in the opposite direction. Washing in the opposite direction can cause bacteria from the anus to enter the vagina and urethral opening leading to infection.
6. Discard your used sanitary products properly: It is essential to discard your used napkins or sanitary pads properly because they are capable of spreading infections. Wrap it very well before discarding it. It is also important that you wash your hands very well after discarding your used napkins.
7. Beware of a pad rash: A pad rash is something that you might experience during a period of heavy flow. It usually occurs when the pad has been wet for a long time and rubs along the thighs causing it to chaff to prevent this from occurring try to stay dry during your periods.
8. Use only one method of sanitation at a time: Some women who have a heavy flow during their periods may use several pads at a time. This practice is bad because the two pads absorb the blood and you don’t see that they are completely used up, so you are unlikely to change at regular and healthy interval. This can lead to rashes and infections.
9. Have a bath regularly: Having a bath is the best thing you can do for your body during your periods. Bathing not only cleanses your body but also gives you a chance to clean your private parts very well. it also helps to relieve menstrual cramps and backaches and makes you feel much better at the end of it.
10. Be ready or always prepared during your periods: When you have your periods, it is important to be ready by making arrangements for extra cleaning and sanitary materials. Make sure you store them properly so that they don’t get contaminated

Ovulation

Ovulation is the part of the female menstrual cycle whereby a mature ovarian follicle discharges an egg (also known as an ovum, oocyte, or female gamete). It is during this process that the egg travels down the fallopian tube where it may be fertilized by a sperm. The process of ovulation usually occurs between the 10th and 19th day of the menstrual cycle and this is the time when humans are most fertile.

Ovulation typically stops at menopause.

Note: that once a female child starts menstruating, ovulation automatically begins which means such a female child can get pregnant if there is sexual intercourse.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OVULATION

1. Change in cervical fluid or mucus: Cervical fluid or mucus that resembles” egg white “is a sign that you are near ovulation or you are ovulating. Ovulation takes place on the day a woman has the most amount of wet fluid or mucus.
2. Change in basal body temperature: An increase in basal body temperature is a sign that ovulation, the cervix will be soft, high, open, and wet.
3. Breast tenderness and sensitivity: During ovulation, the breast becomes tender and sensitive.
4. Increase libido or sexual urge: During ovulation, there is an increase in sexual urge in women.
5. Increase in the sense of vision, smell, and taste: During ovulation, there is an increase in the sense of vision, smell, and taste

Fertilization

This is the fusion of the male gamete (i.e., the sperm) and the female gamete (i.e., the ovum) to form a zygote. It occurs in the fallopian tubes of the female. After fertilization, the zygote grows and develops to form a young one. The process of fertilization always results in pregnancy.

CLASSWORK 

What is ovulation?

State 4 ovulation signs.

Define menstruation.